Area Lawmakers Concerned Over Illegal Immigrant Minors

HARRISBURG – Some area state lawmakers sent a letter to members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to express their collective public safety concerns regarding the over 500 unaccompanied immigrant minors who are now being housed throughout Pennsylvania. Some are being housed in private homes and with religious organizations, while others are housed in two temporary centers – one in Bethlehem and one near Reading. Additional facilities may be brought online in the near future. The letter expressed concern that some of the minors could be affiliated with criminal gangs. The lawmakers also want the appropriate federal agencies to provide information to officials, law enforcement, and residents of communities in which the minors are housed, so that preparations can be made for any potential public safety threats. They also want the agencies to report back regarding processes and penalties that will apply to minors who leave the custody of their family, facility, shelter or home without permission as well as what steps will be taken to retrieve these individuals and to ensure that they do not escape again. Area lawmakers who signed the letter include Lancaster County Reps. Gordon Denlinger and Dave Hickernell, York County Reps. Ron Miller, Stan Saylor, and Will Tallman, Cumberland County Rep. Rob Kauffman, Berks County Reps. Jim Cox, Gary Day, and Jerry Knowles, and Adams County Rep. Dan Moul. You can read their letter by CLICKING HERE.